Hart approach for McCormack

28 July 2009 06:10

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart has moved to fill the gap by gap left by the sale of Peter Crouch by making an approach to Cardiff about striker Ross McCormack.
Crouch was reunited with former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp at Tottenham on Monday in a £9million deal.
Hart is exploring a number of options - he has also been linked with Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic - and Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has enquired about Scotland international McCormack. The Bluebirds have refused to comment on the approach but are believed to be prepared to allow the 22-year-old McCormack - top-scorer with 23 goals last season - leave for £5million.
Hart has already confirmed his interest in Kalinic and also former Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan, who would be a direct replacement for Glen Johnson - sold to Liverpool last month.
Twenty-one-year-old Kalinic currently plays for Hadjuk Split, and reports suggested he is on the verge of a £5.5million transfer.
Finnan agreed a release package with Spanish side Espanyol on Monday to cut short his contract just a year after leaving Anfield for Barcelona's second club.
"Steve Finnan is one of many people we are interested in - as is Nikola Kalinic," said Hart.
"Steve is a quality player, and if you saw my list you could probably see a few more quality players there.
"He's a very experienced player, like many others on the list."